“It’s all about commitment and a love for dance,” said Mitchell Johnson, a senior and member of Saint Louis University’s only hip-hop dance team.

The group, which goes by the name Xquizit, has been together since 2006. Jessica Harris, a member of Black Student Alliance, saw an interest in the SLU community and took steps to create a dance group solely based on hip hop.

At first, it was a casual group. Members of the BSA would gather to dance on occasion. However, it has become more serious over the years.

“This year there’s been a big change,” Johnson said. “I’ve been getting e-mails and I’ve heard people talking about it a lot. There’s been a lot of interest, that’s why we’ve had to hold another audition night.”

At an energetic audition night, Karen Gameng, who has been a member of the group for a year, reflected on what draws people to Xquizit.

“Xquizit is a lot of fun,” she said. “There’s a lot of serious practice time, but we seem to make it enjoyable. We’re known to break out into spontaneous dance parties.”

The group is open to anyone who is interested. They only require a love for dance and a commitment to practice and performance.

“Although I’ve been dancing ballet and tap since I was four, my interest was actually in hip hop,” sophomore Stephanie Buena said. “I was so glad to hear that SLU had a hip-hop dance team.”

Even dancers with no hip hop experience have found a place in Xquizit.

“I had never danced hip hop before, but it’s a blast,” sophomore Michelle Basco said.

As of now, Xquizit has performed at a number of select SLU events, as well as a performing off campus.

“We’ve danced at events like Lunar Fest, Bare Naked Statues concerts and the BSA step show,” Johnson said. “We’re trying to do more shows with different student groups and activities on campus.”

The group is also looking to branch out and do more shows throughout the city as well as compete against other dance teams.

As auditions for the group are over, Xquizit members have begun preparing for their first performance, which they hope to schedule for some time in October.